M_K_I interviews for Holland newspaper
teenagers in Poland - daily life
May I first ask your name, age, and, if you like, the profession of your parents. Then answer the following questions. If necessary, maybe your teacher can help you.
What time do you rise?
And what do you have for breakfast?
Can you describe a common school day? (Don't forget to tell something about school hours, order and discipline).
How much pocket money do you get? How do you spend it? (CDs', candy, magazines?)
What kind of music do you like? What are your favourite television programs? And your favourite hobby's/sports?
When does school break up? What are your plans for the holidays?
How do you celebrate your birthday? (At home and at school) What's on top of your list of gifts wanted?
What do you have for supper? And what time you go to bed?
I am Hania and I have just started attending to Secondary School in Wieluń, so I am over seventeen. My parents are lawyers. I am so proud of them. My Dad works as a lecturer in the university.
I usually get up at 6.50 in order to not miss the first lesson. It is very difficult for me because I love sleeping. My mother has always a big problem with waking me up. Then I say: once again the same horrible morning.
My day begins at seven o'clock. When half-conscious I go to the bathroom, I clean myself. Next I make my subtle make-up and eat breakfast.
Polish breakfast does not differ from breakfasts from the other countries, it is really normal. I eat different kind of sandwiches, especially with meat, cheese and ham. I drink a cup of tea with milk or honey which is called “bawarka”. The bad point of Polish is that we eat less vegetables. People from Poland neither like milk nor cornflakes. I think it depends on our habits.
A lot of older people say that after drinking a cup of milk they have stomach ache...but I do not belive in it.
I live six kilometres away from Wieluń. I have somehow get to school. My mother usually gives me a lift, if not I get there by bus. The lessons in Polish school start at 8 clock after a loud sound of the bell.
My school is quiet nice. The main building is modern and large, seems to be friendly and open for students. The history of school starts at the begining of XX century any in next two years it will have 100 anniversary. It is one of the best grammar school in this area. We have our own ground, we play there volleyball, basketball and make exercises. Inside there is a bit cool but it does not matter if the atmosphere is great. One lesson lasts 45 minutes not longer. Then we have a break- it means 10 to 20 minutes off. At school I learn history, Polish, English, German, biology, maths, chemistry, physics and geography. I also have information technology, P-E and subject in which I learn how to protect myself in spite of any dangerously events. Mostly I have seven sometimes eight hours a day. During 8th lesson I feel very tired. Frankly speaking, I can not be concentated on the main topics. We have to make our duty at school, it means cleaning the blackboard, watering the flowers.
Our learning progresses are marked by teachers with sixs grade skale (from 1 to 6). 6 is the best note ano 1 is the worst. All our notes, information about us and our absences are wrote in the registers.
The school is not so strict as it looks. The atmosphere is really friendly. We have our own school shop with food and of course the equipment of pencil case.
During the lessons we attentively listen what the headmaster is saying. We must not talk to each other then.
After the tiring day it is high time to eat supper. At my place we always eat very light supper, maybe salad or fish and some slices of granary bread. After finishing the meal I have a bath and I go to bed. If I have a lot of homework I stay longer with my books but usually I go to bed at 11 p.m. I fall asleep quickly and I dream about another exciting day.
As to my pocket money, I have my own bankaccount. My mother sends 100 zł every month on it. I do not think it is a lot of money but it is enough for me. I spend my pocket money on tickets to the cinema, concerts or buying new clothes and books. I am not very interested in fashion, I have my own style of wearing. I like colorful things. I do not wear jewellery apart from earrings. This money from account belongs only to me and it is being spent for something special. When I go out with my friends I can buy what I want: sweets, cakes, bookes and many others. I feel a little independent with my pocket money. I do not have to ask my parents for giving me some.
Now, I listen to some reggae music. The most popular reggae singer was Bob Marley. He came from Kingston in Jamaica. When he was a child he was very poor. He became Rastafarian and sang about peace and equality. Bob Marley is still a symbol of peace and love for people in countries all over the world in spite of his death.
I do not watch telly. I am too busy to wasting my free time on watching usually boring programmes. But if I turn on the television I prefer historical and cultural films, sometimes cartoons ( for relax ).
I love reading many kinds of books, particulary philosophical. I also like going for a walk because of living in such a lovely countryside. I am interested in foreign languages as English, German and French. I am also studying them. I am keen on Rastafarian ideology. I write a lot notes and next I set them in my computer. I collect informations about women who were living in different ages, from antiquity to XIX century. I can say I am a feminist. But the most I am interested in gaining the knowledge. I do not practise any sports now. In the past I practised volleyball.
School holidays begines on the 21th of June and ends on the 1st of August. So it lasts in about two months. We have also winter holidays but they are much shorter and lasts only two weeks (at the turn of January and Fedruary). During Easter we also have a holidays and extra week off. Of course we have weekends - we attend to school for five days and next we have two days off. In July I am planning to go to France with my friends or to Egypt where I will try to learn how to dive. It is my dream. I am also going to visit my family in London and have a great fun during the concerts in Poland. That is all my plans for the holidays.
I have my birthday on the 5th of June. If the weather is fine I will make a garden party with campfire, weird dancings, we will sing the songs and have a great fun becouse of this meeting. This celebration is the only way to meet all my friends at one place. If the weather is not so good we will go somewhere to dance or stay at old-fashioned pub. Next day I will have a meeting with my family. I like small presents which make me smile. It does not matter how much this present costs but the most important is that this gift is made with somebodys interests at heart. I really appreciate the suprises too.
We have a very nice class tradition, when somebody has a birthday he or she brings to school a lot of candies and shares to one another.
I usually get up at 6.50 in order to not miss the first lesson. It is very difficult for me because I love sleeping. My mother has always a big problem with waking me up. Then I say: once again the same horrible morning.
My day begins at seven o'clock. When half-conscious I go to the bathroom, I clean myself. Next I make my subtle make-up and eat breakfast.
Polish breakfast does not differ from breakfasts from the other countries, it is really normal. I eat different kind of sandwiches, especially with meat, cheese and ham. I drink a cup of tea with milk or honey which is called “bawarka”. The bad point of Polish is that we eat less vegetables. People from Poland neither like milk nor cornflakes. I think it depends on our habits.
A lot of older people say that after drinking a cup of milk they have stomach ache...but I do not belive in it.
I live six kilometres away from Wieluń. I have somehow get to school. My mother usually gives me a lift, if not I get there by bus. The lessons in Polish school start at 8 clock after a loud sound of the bell.
My school is quiet nice. The main building is modern and large, seems to be friendly and open for students. The history of school starts at the begining of XX century any in next two years it will have 100 anniversary. It is one of the best grammar school in this area. We have our own ground, we play there volleyball, basketball and make exercises. Inside there is a bit cool but it does not matter if the atmosphere is great. One lesson lasts 45 minutes not longer. Then we have a break- it means 10 to 20 minutes off. At school I learn history, Polish, English, German, biology, maths, chemistry, physics and geography. I also have information technology, P-E and subject in which I learn how to protect myself in spite of any dangerously events. Mostly I have seven sometimes eight hours a day. During 8th lesson I feel very tired. Frankly speaking, I can not be concentated on the main topics. We have to make our duty at school, it means cleaning the blackboard, watering the flowers.
Our learning progresses are marked by teachers with sixs grade skale (from 1 to 6). 6 is the best note ano 1 is the worst. All our notes, information about us and our absences are wrote in the registers.
The school is not so strict as it looks. The atmosphere is really friendly. We have our own school shop with food and of course the equipment of pencil case.
During the lessons we attentively listen what the headmaster is saying. We must not talk to each other then.
After the tiring day it is high time to eat supper. At my place we always eat very light supper, maybe salad or fish and some slices of granary bread. After finishing the meal I have a bath and I go to bed. If I have a lot of homework I stay longer with my books but usually I go to bed at 11 p.m. I fall asleep quickly and I dream about another exciting day.
As to my pocket money, I have my own bankaccount. My mother sends 100 zł every month on it. I do not think it is a lot of money but it is enough for me. I spend my pocket money on tickets to the cinema, concerts or buying new clothes and books. I am not very interested in fashion, I have my own style of wearing. I like colorful things. I do not wear jewellery apart from earrings. This money from account belongs only to me and it is being spent for something special. When I go out with my friends I can buy what I want: sweets, cakes, bookes and many others. I feel a little independent with my pocket money. I do not have to ask my parents for giving me some.
Now, I listen to some reggae music. The most popular reggae singer was Bob Marley. He came from Kingston in Jamaica. When he was a child he was very poor. He became Rastafarian and sang about peace and equality. Bob Marley is still a symbol of peace and love for people in countries all over the world in spite of his death.
I do not watch telly. I am too busy to wasting my free time on watching usually boring programmes. But if I turn on the television I prefer historical and cultural films, sometimes cartoons ( for relax ).
I love reading many kinds of books, particulary philosophical. I also like going for a walk because of living in such a lovely countryside. I am interested in foreign languages as English, German and French. I am also studying them. I am keen on Rastafarian ideology. I write a lot notes and next I set them in my computer. I collect informations about women who were living in different ages, from antiquity to XIX century. I can say I am a feminist. But the most I am interested in gaining the knowledge. I do not practise any sports now. In the past I practised volleyball.
School holidays begines on the 21th of June and ends on the 1st of August. So it lasts in about two months. We have also winter holidays but they are much shorter and lasts only two weeks (at the turn of January and Fedruary). During Easter we also have a holidays and extra week off. Of course we have weekends - we attend to school for five days and next we have two days off. In July I am planning to go to France with my friends or to Egypt where I will try to learn how to dive. It is my dream. I am also going to visit my family in London and have a great fun during the concerts in Poland. That is all my plans for the holidays.
I have my birthday on the 5th of June. If the weather is fine I will make a garden party with campfire, weird dancings, we will sing the songs and have a great fun becouse of this meeting. This celebration is the only way to meet all my friends at one place. If the weather is not so good we will go somewhere to dance or stay at old-fashioned pub. Next day I will have a meeting with my family. I like small presents which make me smile. It does not matter how much this present costs but the most important is that this gift is made with somebodys interests at heart. I really appreciate the suprises too.
We have a very nice class tradition, when somebody has a birthday he or she brings to school a lot of candies and shares to one another.
Damian
Hello!
My name is Damian Domagała. I’m 17 years old. I think that my age is less important than my experience. That’s my opinion. My father works in bank, and my mother is bookkeeper in a private business.
Now I’m going to tell something about my common school day. It’s very difficult, because every day in school is different for me. I think that other students have their picture about common school day, but when I got to my new school, my life became faster and more “productive”. If I have nothing special to do, my day looks likewise to this:
I get up at 6.30 a.m. I lay in bed for 15 minutes. Then I have shower, and do other interesting things in bathroom. After that ritual usually it’s 7.15 a.m. Then I sometimes do my homework (because I’m so lazy, and I forgot to do it before midnight), but it doesn’t persist longer than 20 minutes. When I came down to kitchen it’s about 7.30 and I don’t have much time for breakfast, because I get to school from my house in 25 minutes (lessons start at 8.00 a.m.). I have for breakfast little sandwich with cheese and coffee to drink. Usually I have seven lessons (only on Fridays there are six lessons). One lesson persist 45 minutes, and breaks persist 10 minutes (break for lunch – 15 minutes). We mustn’t be late for lessons, otherwise teacher sign it to class-book and it will have effects in opinion about ours behaviour. We don’t have to wear an uniforms. Our school is very liberal, but it expects from us respect for teachers and employees of school.
Now something about my pocket money. I get it irregular, because I never know, how many money I need in current month. Most of pocket money I spend on cinema, theatres, or concerts (including snacks and drinks there). Sometimes I buy new parts to my computer or electric guitar. I also spend some money on parties with friends. On these parties we often listen our favourite kind of music i.e. hard rock and heavy - metal. We dance, laugh and sign with this music. Personally I prefer jazz, blues and old rock. I’m also play on guitar in hard – rock group. That is one of my favourite hobbies. Also I like theatrical art, authorship and journalism. Generally I like everything relevant with culture. But only good quality culture.
School break up in this year at 21 june. I will go with friends on holiday to tramping in small mountains. After that I will go to Gdańsk (near the Baltic Sea), to theatrical festival. Finally I will go with scouts (because I’m scout) to summer camp. Maybe I will visit my friends in Wroclaw and Poznan. It will be summer, when I will have not much time for laying in the bed.
I don’t celebrate my birthday usually. At home my parents and sisters give me some gifts and say nice compliments. At school friends are congratulate me, do something crazy (you don’t want to know) and that’s all. I have almost everything that I want. But I am very satisfied, when someone gives me an album of my favourite group or interesting book. I don’t have any concrete needs.
I don’t eat normal supper, I don’t have a time for it. Usually it’s yoghurt and something sweet. Generally I’m back to home at 19.30 (I have many practices after lessons). Then I do my homework and get some relax on computer and stories. I write some numbers and stories. Also often I call to my friends and we talk a lot. I go to bed at 0.30 a.m. – 1.30 a.m. I don’t know, how can I get up so early and go to bed lately. But I’m doing it!
My name is Damian Domagała. I’m 17 years old. I think that my age is less important than my experience. That’s my opinion. My father works in bank, and my mother is bookkeeper in a private business.
Now I’m going to tell something about my common school day. It’s very difficult, because every day in school is different for me. I think that other students have their picture about common school day, but when I got to my new school, my life became faster and more “productive”. If I have nothing special to do, my day looks likewise to this:
I get up at 6.30 a.m. I lay in bed for 15 minutes. Then I have shower, and do other interesting things in bathroom. After that ritual usually it’s 7.15 a.m. Then I sometimes do my homework (because I’m so lazy, and I forgot to do it before midnight), but it doesn’t persist longer than 20 minutes. When I came down to kitchen it’s about 7.30 and I don’t have much time for breakfast, because I get to school from my house in 25 minutes (lessons start at 8.00 a.m.). I have for breakfast little sandwich with cheese and coffee to drink. Usually I have seven lessons (only on Fridays there are six lessons). One lesson persist 45 minutes, and breaks persist 10 minutes (break for lunch – 15 minutes). We mustn’t be late for lessons, otherwise teacher sign it to class-book and it will have effects in opinion about ours behaviour. We don’t have to wear an uniforms. Our school is very liberal, but it expects from us respect for teachers and employees of school.
Now something about my pocket money. I get it irregular, because I never know, how many money I need in current month. Most of pocket money I spend on cinema, theatres, or concerts (including snacks and drinks there). Sometimes I buy new parts to my computer or electric guitar. I also spend some money on parties with friends. On these parties we often listen our favourite kind of music i.e. hard rock and heavy - metal. We dance, laugh and sign with this music. Personally I prefer jazz, blues and old rock. I’m also play on guitar in hard – rock group. That is one of my favourite hobbies. Also I like theatrical art, authorship and journalism. Generally I like everything relevant with culture. But only good quality culture.
School break up in this year at 21 june. I will go with friends on holiday to tramping in small mountains. After that I will go to Gdańsk (near the Baltic Sea), to theatrical festival. Finally I will go with scouts (because I’m scout) to summer camp. Maybe I will visit my friends in Wroclaw and Poznan. It will be summer, when I will have not much time for laying in the bed.
I don’t celebrate my birthday usually. At home my parents and sisters give me some gifts and say nice compliments. At school friends are congratulate me, do something crazy (you don’t want to know) and that’s all. I have almost everything that I want. But I am very satisfied, when someone gives me an album of my favourite group or interesting book. I don’t have any concrete needs.
I don’t eat normal supper, I don’t have a time for it. Usually it’s yoghurt and something sweet. Generally I’m back to home at 19.30 (I have many practices after lessons). Then I do my homework and get some relax on computer and stories. I write some numbers and stories. Also often I call to my friends and we talk a lot. I go to bed at 0.30 a.m. – 1.30 a.m. I don’t know, how can I get up so early and go to bed lately. But I’m doing it!
Katie
Hello
my name is Katie Michalik and I am a 17 years-old girl. I live in Wieluń small town in the center of Poland. My mother is nurse in our local hospital, and my father is a finantial director in privat company.
Usually I get up at 6.30 in the morning. Then I have a shower I get dressed and I cumb. I never have breakfast because I do not have enough time.
My lessons starts at 8 o’clock a.m. I usually stays at school till 2 o’clock. I am always very busy at school. Between lessons we have short 10 minutes brakes but I can never rest because I have many duties like for instance: school’s autonomy meetings, workink for our European Club, talking to teachers, meeting with friends etc. etc. We also have one luchbreake which is longer than the others. Then I go whith my friends to our school canteen and have a little snack. Usually it is a salad made of carrot and pineapple.
When I get back from school I have a dinner and then I do my homework. I spend a lot of time for learning. I learn till 8 o’clock but sometimes when next day we have a test I am learning till 12 o’clock or even longer. I also spend a lot of time using my computer. Everybody says that I am addicted from the internet. When I’m not learning I am meeting my boyfriend, listening to the music, reading books. I never watch TV. Internet is my whole world. I go to sleep at about 1 o’clock in the night.
I don’t get a lot of pocket money but I can get all the necessary things. I spend my money for cosmetics, books, magazines, clothes, and gifts for my honey.
My favourite kind music is hip-hop, I have always litened it. I also like to listen romantic songs. When I have time play the piano. I do not have any favourite television programs because I simply do not like TV. I can only watch some music channel from time to time. My favourite sports are skiing and basketball.
Our school year begins in September and ends in June. During school year we have two weeks of winter holidays and two months of summer holidays. All my free time I spend in Polish mountains: Tatra mountains. I just love our mountains and honestly I could live there. Our mountains are very mysterious and beautifull. You can taste the real freedom there.
My birthday are in the spring. It is warm and beautifull then. Because on that I can always arrange a party in my garden. I always invite many friends. We have a lot of food, we listen loud music, we dance and have fun all night.
I never know what would I like to get for my birthday. I love surprices so I am always happy with the presents that I get.
All the best Kasia.
my name is Katie Michalik and I am a 17 years-old girl. I live in Wieluń small town in the center of Poland. My mother is nurse in our local hospital, and my father is a finantial director in privat company.
Usually I get up at 6.30 in the morning. Then I have a shower I get dressed and I cumb. I never have breakfast because I do not have enough time.
My lessons starts at 8 o’clock a.m. I usually stays at school till 2 o’clock. I am always very busy at school. Between lessons we have short 10 minutes brakes but I can never rest because I have many duties like for instance: school’s autonomy meetings, workink for our European Club, talking to teachers, meeting with friends etc. etc. We also have one luchbreake which is longer than the others. Then I go whith my friends to our school canteen and have a little snack. Usually it is a salad made of carrot and pineapple.
When I get back from school I have a dinner and then I do my homework. I spend a lot of time for learning. I learn till 8 o’clock but sometimes when next day we have a test I am learning till 12 o’clock or even longer. I also spend a lot of time using my computer. Everybody says that I am addicted from the internet. When I’m not learning I am meeting my boyfriend, listening to the music, reading books. I never watch TV. Internet is my whole world. I go to sleep at about 1 o’clock in the night.
I don’t get a lot of pocket money but I can get all the necessary things. I spend my money for cosmetics, books, magazines, clothes, and gifts for my honey.
My favourite kind music is hip-hop, I have always litened it. I also like to listen romantic songs. When I have time play the piano. I do not have any favourite television programs because I simply do not like TV. I can only watch some music channel from time to time. My favourite sports are skiing and basketball.
Our school year begins in September and ends in June. During school year we have two weeks of winter holidays and two months of summer holidays. All my free time I spend in Polish mountains: Tatra mountains. I just love our mountains and honestly I could live there. Our mountains are very mysterious and beautifull. You can taste the real freedom there.
My birthday are in the spring. It is warm and beautifull then. Because on that I can always arrange a party in my garden. I always invite many friends. We have a lot of food, we listen loud music, we dance and have fun all night.
I never know what would I like to get for my birthday. I love surprices so I am always happy with the presents that I get.
All the best Kasia.
Nina
My name is Nina and I’m 17-year-old girl from Wieluń, which is situated in the centre of Poland. My mum is a school counsellor in grammar school and my father teaches philospohy in a peadagogical high school.
My common day starts at 6.30 a.m., when I get up. I have a shower, get dressed and do soft make-up. My breakfast consists of : a cup of tea or coffee with milk, 2 slices of brad usually with a ham or cheese, cucumber, tomato, ketchup and mayonnaise. I sometimes take light lunch to school – a banana or an apple, because if we want to we can buy a dinner in a school-canteen or get something to eat from a school-shop.
The lessons start at 8 o’clock and last maximally till 3.20 p.m. Teachers have duties on school halls to keep discipline and order during breaks. The lunchbreak is longer than others and last 20 minutes, from 10.30 a.m. to 10.55 a.m. ( others are 10-minute- long). When I get back from school I do my homework and learn usually till 6 p.m., but sometimes much longer, till 10 p.m. I don’t eat supper very often, because I don’t like, but if so it is a slice of bread, joghurt and a cup of tea. After learning I do everything what I want : listen to music, watch TV, read books and so on. I go to bed usually before midnight.
Our school year begins in September and ends in June. Besides holidays we also have two weeks of winter brake plus chrismas and Easter holidays.
The holidays is the best time in student’s and pupil’s life. In this year I would like to visit famous seaside in Poland – Łeba, tour the biggests polish cities – Cracow, Poznań, Wrocław, maybe make a lifeguard licence and, of course, have a lot of fun and read books. Actually I don’t get much pocket money from my parents (40 zl), but every month my grandmums give me money. I spend it on cosmetisc, clothes, magazines, outgoings, candies and Coca-Cola( I love it!)
My favourite kinds of music are: soft rock, r&b, punk and classical music, especially Strauss. My favourite TV channels are Discovery channels, music channels and Fashion TV, I don’t have best programmes. I’m interested in fashion, I like reading books, but not romance, science fiction and fantasy stories! I love swimming, dancing and gimnastisc. I’m also interested in everything what is concerned with USA ( culture, literature, language, american life style, people, entertainment and trade)
I was born in July so I can’t celebrate my birthday at school. But I give a party to my family and in the evening I invite my friends to a pub or a cafe.
You’re asking me what’s on top of my list of gifts wanted, but I don’t really know. I would like to have a big american flag, many books about this country and I have many others ‘little dreams’. But particularly I want my family and friends to be happy and healthy. I also want to write about my free time. I usually spend it with my boyfriend, in the cinema or in clubs. Teenagers in Poland like big discos, but actually I don’t, but I love home-made parites. They’re great!
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to write something about teenager’s life in Poland.
My common day starts at 6.30 a.m., when I get up. I have a shower, get dressed and do soft make-up. My breakfast consists of : a cup of tea or coffee with milk, 2 slices of brad usually with a ham or cheese, cucumber, tomato, ketchup and mayonnaise. I sometimes take light lunch to school – a banana or an apple, because if we want to we can buy a dinner in a school-canteen or get something to eat from a school-shop.
The lessons start at 8 o’clock and last maximally till 3.20 p.m. Teachers have duties on school halls to keep discipline and order during breaks. The lunchbreak is longer than others and last 20 minutes, from 10.30 a.m. to 10.55 a.m. ( others are 10-minute- long). When I get back from school I do my homework and learn usually till 6 p.m., but sometimes much longer, till 10 p.m. I don’t eat supper very often, because I don’t like, but if so it is a slice of bread, joghurt and a cup of tea. After learning I do everything what I want : listen to music, watch TV, read books and so on. I go to bed usually before midnight.
Our school year begins in September and ends in June. Besides holidays we also have two weeks of winter brake plus chrismas and Easter holidays.
The holidays is the best time in student’s and pupil’s life. In this year I would like to visit famous seaside in Poland – Łeba, tour the biggests polish cities – Cracow, Poznań, Wrocław, maybe make a lifeguard licence and, of course, have a lot of fun and read books. Actually I don’t get much pocket money from my parents (40 zl), but every month my grandmums give me money. I spend it on cosmetisc, clothes, magazines, outgoings, candies and Coca-Cola( I love it!)
My favourite kinds of music are: soft rock, r&b, punk and classical music, especially Strauss. My favourite TV channels are Discovery channels, music channels and Fashion TV, I don’t have best programmes. I’m interested in fashion, I like reading books, but not romance, science fiction and fantasy stories! I love swimming, dancing and gimnastisc. I’m also interested in everything what is concerned with USA ( culture, literature, language, american life style, people, entertainment and trade)
I was born in July so I can’t celebrate my birthday at school. But I give a party to my family and in the evening I invite my friends to a pub or a cafe.
You’re asking me what’s on top of my list of gifts wanted, but I don’t really know. I would like to have a big american flag, many books about this country and I have many others ‘little dreams’. But particularly I want my family and friends to be happy and healthy. I also want to write about my free time. I usually spend it with my boyfriend, in the cinema or in clubs. Teenagers in Poland like big discos, but actually I don’t, but I love home-made parites. They’re great!
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to write something about teenager’s life in Poland.